Dear Friend,
Halloween is just around the corner, so before our neighborhood ghosts and goblins play a trick or ask for treats, take a moment to read our latest updates:
October 2023 New Library Project Updates
After completion of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process, The Larkspur Library at The Commons project has entered the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage. This stage involves reviewing and scoring the three proposals from the Design-Build Entities (DBE) selected from the RFQ process.
The three DBE finalists are:
- Allen Construction + Noll Tam Architects
- BN Builders + RNT Architects
- Bogard Construction + Jayson Architecture
The Scoring Team consists of two members of City Council, two members of The Commons Foundation Board, and three City employees. The Scoring Team will meet several times between October and early December both in-person and over Zoom. We have tentatively scheduled to award the contract to the finalist with the highest-scoring DBE during the last City Council meeting in December.
The finalist’s winning design will go to the Planning Commission, likely in early January. There will be a few meetings with public input before a final design is approved by the Planning Commission.
Interview with Supervisor Katie Rice
Katie Rice has been a Marin County Supervisor since 2011, representing the Ross Valley. She has been an advocate for our neighborhoods, schools, and community organizations. She was an early supporter of The Commons concept and was instrumental in securing county funds for our new Larkspur Library.
TCF: What is your vision for Larkspur’s 21st Century Library?
Supervisor Rice: I would love to see the Larkspur Library be a true community hub! A place of learning, exploring and inspiration for people of all ages, interests and backgrounds. A place people go (in person or virtually!) to connect with information through a variety of mediums and experiences, a place where people connect with people. Libraries should be safe and welcoming spaces for conversation, for sharing, for creating and deepening relationships, and for enriching our individual and community life.
TCF: What type of community collaborations or partnerships would benefit a modern library?
Supervisor Rice: In my view, pretty much any entity or organization has the potential to add value or create opportunities for a modern library. Whether that be through a relationship that adds resources, or programming, or capacity in general; or a partnership that makes possible something that the library or partner organization could not make happen on their own.
TCF: What type of programs do you recommend for a new sophisticated library?
Supervisor Rice: The library should seek to fill those programming gaps that don’t exist elsewhere in the community and are an obvious good fit for its space and assets. Programming should respond to what the community specifically asks for, but also exposes the community to subject matter and experiences they would never know to ask for. Push the envelope on what a library can be, on how a community can grow.
TCF: What book are you reading? Any recommendations?
Supervisor Rice: I just started Horse by Geraldine Brooks. Also, by my bedside (for middle-of-the-night situations), I have What an Owl Knows by Jennifer Ackerman. My recommendations include A Social Animal by David Brooks and The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.
Thank you, Katie, for helping us achieve the finances we needed to build our new public library and community gathering space.
Donor Highlight: Cindy & Chris Winship
Ann Morrison: Why did the Winships get involved with Larkspur’s future 21st century library? In other words, why is this library important to you?
Cindy & Chris Winship: We decided to get involved with the new Larkspur Library because we love the Larkspur community and we love libraries. When our kids were little, one of our favorite afternoon activities was to walk to the Library. After a quick stop at Rulli, we’d return home with our bagful of books and settle in for some quiet reading time. Libraries enhance our communities and the new Larkspur Library will be a beautiful and important resource for all of our residents.
Illuminating Larkspur: TCF Shines Bright for the Community
The City of Larkspur has always been a close-knit community that thrives on the support and collaboration of its residents and local organizations. In keeping with this spirit, The Commons Foundation is proud to announce its sponsorship of the beautiful Night Lights at Piper Park this year. This partnership signifies a significant step towards strengthening the bonds within our community and making Larkspur an even more vibrant and welcoming place for all. The park lights will be officially switched on in December during a festive community gathering. Individual donations to help light the park can be made on the City of Larkspur website.
Support TCF on Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is an international event that falls on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, following the excesses of Black Friday. It encourages everyone to support their favorite charities — locally, nationally and internationally.
This year, Giving Tuesday falls on November 28. We hope you will support this event with a year-end tax-deductible gift toward the new Larkspur Library campaign.
Join the Landscaping Campaign
We are working to ensure the community has inviting and attractive outdoor spaces surrounding the new library so that patrons can read a book, gather with friends, engage in study programs, or simply enjoy the beautiful views of Mt. Tamalpais. We need your support!
To donate to the new landscaping campaign, please visit: Ways to Support
Thank you always for your support!
Ann Morrison
President, The Commons Foundation